Ryanair is interested in sourcing extra single-aisle planes, even though it has 115 current generation 737-800s due for delivery over the next few years followed by 100 updated 737MAX 200s arriving from 2019, and is also exploring a further MAX order.

“If additional slots became available in 2017 or 2018 we’d happily take them,” O’Leary said in an interview in London. “If Boeing have more cancellations and all of a sudden instead of having oversold their order book they now have unplaced aircraft, I’m sure they’ll come back to us.”

The additional planes would replace some of Ryanair’s older 737-800s, the CEO said, adding that the carrier struck a similar deal for 15 surplus -800s earlier this decade, taking delivery in 2014 and 2015. Boeing doesn’t comment on client discussions, spokesman Doug Alder said by email.

Ryanair is meanwhile continuing talks with Boeing over exercising options for 100 more MAX 200s, a higher density upgrade of the 737-800 for which the Dublin-based company is the launch customer. A final decision on a follow-on order doesn’t need to be taken until 2018, O’Leary said.

With Boeing and Airbus Group each accelerating production of their single-aisle jets to about 60 a month by the end of the decade from 42 now, Ryanair could expect to get hefty discounts if deferrals and cancellations increase.

“It all depends on the price; if we could get them for free we would take a huge amount,” O’Leary quipped